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Hi everyone! I'm getting married 1/21/17 at Azul Sensatori- A Karisma resort in Riviera maya Mexico. I have had my heart set on using a Live solo musician for the ceremony and having them play the Love Actually theme song ie. Glasgow Love Theme by Craig Armstrong for the processional. I had booked the violinist but their song lists are terrible and so short. It seems ridiculous to pay a grand for 45 minutes when we have zero control over song choices. My WC is looking to see if they will play it but she seems clueless about it so far. Anyone have any experience with these live musicians or have any advice? Anyone book a live musician and get to choose a song for them to play? That's what I'd love clarification on and I feel like my WC will never know. Thank you so much! -
How We Met Andrew and I met online early summer of 2014. Our initial conversation started with our likes for rivalry hockey teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. From there the conversation kept flowing and we went on our first date in early July. We continued to talk and go on dates over the next couple of months until we made our relationship official in August 2014. From there the rest is history ♥ The Proposal Every year we make a trip to Florida and stay in Indian Rocks Beach. This time we traveled with another couple (Ellen and Tyler) at the end of March 2016. Ellen and I being typical girls we wanted 'cute and coupley' sunset photos with the boys. On Sunday, April 3rd we finished dinner and walked down to the beach just in time to get in some good photos of the sun setting. Andrew and I took a few photos standing on the beach with the sun behind us, and then he said 'Let's try one more (pose)'. Then he got down on one knee in the water and I immediately started blushing and crying because I was so shocked/happy/surprised. After Andrew gave his romantic spiel and asked me to marry him, I said of course. Travel Agent/Picking a Resort We knew that we wanted to have a destination wedding right from the get go because we are beach bums and love the sun/water. Neither of us have ever been to Mexico, however it seemed like the perfect place for our wedding! The next thing on the list was to find a travel agent. I had been told to shop around for an agent for pricing and most importantly the person knows what they are doing/is easy to communicate with. We went to a local mall and popped into Flight Centre, they directed us to a nearby mall where their group travel specialist was located. Instantly we clicked and my finance and I knew we would be going with this agent based on her knowledge, experience and how helpful she was. The next step was choosing a resort, we wanted the resort to be affordable, yet still nice. We weren't very flexible with our potential wedding dates because the best man is a teacher and it is the only time he could take time off work to come to the wedding. After looking at quotes and reading (wedding) reviews we were sold on the GRAND SUNSET PRINCESS. On May 5th 2016 we put our deposits in for travel May 17th - May 24th. Our guests had the deposit deadline of July 13th to guarantee the rates given by the TA. ....More to come
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To all Mexican Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta area destination brides-to-be... ... WIN YOUR BRIDAL HAIR AND MAKEUP "DREAM LOOK" FROM STYLING TRIO WORTH $830.00 USD! Here's how to enter: 1) Register and create a profile at www.bestdestinationwedding.com 2) Follow link to our Facebook page post and to enter, simply submit a comment under the contest post, describing your "dream wedding look" and the inspiration for this look. 3) Add a link to your "Dream Wedding Look" inspiration board on Pinterest with up to 10 photos that illustrate your "dream look." In the event you don't have a Pinterest account, you can make a collage with up to 10 photos, snap a photo of the collage and post it in the comments with the description. 4) Share with all your friends and family because the posted comment and inspiration board with the most likes at the end of contest period wins! Winner will receive the La Perla makeup and hair package from Styling Trio which includes: 1) Hair & Makeup Trial 2) Hair & Makeup for the Rehearsal Dinner 3) Hair & Makeup for the Wedding Day for free! A value of $830USD HURRY! Contest ends on October 6, 2016 at 5PM Eastern Time. T&C’s: Prize does not include travel charges and winning bride can choose any date in 2016 or 2017 to redeem their prize. Winner must be signed-up with a profile on bestdestinationweddings.com in order to be eligible. This contest ends October 6, 2016 at 5PM ET.- 3 replies
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Hi everyone! I am starting to plan our future destination wedding (thinking February 2018). We come from opposite coasts of the states so Cancun seemed like the natural caribbean location (easy to get to for both sides and relatively affordable). Question I have - are there any good starting places/resources/links on info for prices etc? Or anyone have any of their price experiences to share? I really want to get a ballpark on how much this might cost us before planning everything and realizing it's too expensive. I've stayed in ME Cancun and Paradisus Playa Del Carmen before and loved both (modern, nicer, relaxing) so would be interested in something like that (not a huge fan of the old fashioned resorts). -
We have booked our wedding at the Dreams Tulum Resort for March 18, 2017. My guest list is about 40 people with the ceremony taking place in the chapel and reception on the beach. Just wondering if there are any brides out there that have had their wedding there recently? If you have any tips, advice, it would be much appreciated! I want to make sure I'm budgeting myself correctly especially with the "extra" fees that may come about.
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Hi All, I am from UK and got engaged on my 40th Birthday at Sandos Playacar so I know that this place is beautiful. I have been looking at posts for Sandos but it looks like the most recent posts regarding wedding experiences was back in 2013. Has anybody recently got married here or about too? Thank you in advance
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If you've always wanted to spend vacation bliss in an overwater bungalow, that memorable experience can now be yours in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the El Dorado Maroma Palafitos, which officially opened to vacationers in early September 2016. The luxurious overwater suites -- the first of its kind in Mexico -- are situated off the soft white sands of the Maroma Beach, considered by many as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. But besides the breathtaking views, these spacious 600-sq. ft. suites for two also offer a private infinity pool and an oversized deck with lounge chairs, glass bottom floors where you can watch the sea life move beneath your bungalow, and a ladder providing easy access to the clear turquoise ocean water. Each bungalow also features a private outdoor shower and a romantic indoor jacuzzi for two. Every bungalow is also equipped with: - King size bed - Air conditioning & ceiling fan - Smart TV - Telephone - Aromatherapy shower - Make-up mirror - High end toiletries - 100% cotton & thousand-thread-count sheets - Radio/alarm clock - Safety deposit box - Espresso Coffee maker and tea brewing station - Premium stocked minibar - The outdoor terrace is also equipped with luxurious wooden furniture, reading material and blankets Those staying at the all-inclusive suites will also have exclusive beach bed access, 24-hour room service and customized beach picnics. But the spoils do not end there, during your stay you'll also have your own butler, who can take care of all your unique vacation needs, including handling any pre-arrival requests and reservations to the delivery of reading materials, beverages and gourmet bites at the pool. The multilingual butlers will also provide services such as the unpacking of luggage, serving sunrise coffee experience and in-suite full breakfasts. Your personal butler will also ensure the suite is kept in perfect condition and arranged according to guests preferences. Palafitos guests can also exclusively indulge in rest, relaxation and rejuvenation with spa treatments at the overwater Náay Spa. And once your mind and body are at ease, you can dine on exquisite gourmet meals at The Haute Cuisine -- the overwater grill and wine bar serving only those staying at the bungalows. The eatery, which boasts spectacular ocean views and fresh tropical breezes, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner from the open kitchen grill. I had the pleasure of getting a sneak peek of the Palafitos this past spring and I can without a doubt say, it's a slice of heaven perfect for couples looking to spend some much needed time in a paradise all their own. With the bungalow set-up and convenient butler service, you'll feel like you've traveled to your own oasis where luxury and comfort are in abundance. It's the perfect spot for a honeymoon or anniversary trip or simply those wanting to get away and be pampered. Reservations for the Palafitos can only be made through a select group of luxury vacation consultants, like Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agent group of the Best Destination Wedding Forum. For more information and assistance on booking your stay at the incredible overwater bungalow suites, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
I am bringing a friend that I work with to shoot our wedding video for us. He shoots wedding videos on the side so he has professional equipment. We're not paying him a fee per say, but we are covering his travel/accommodations. Does anyone have experience with this? Is there any sort of paperwork he needs to fill out to shoot our wedding? I read somewhere here where someone's photographer got stopped at customs because he/she wasn't licensed to work in Mexico. Would that apply in this situation? -
Big news from the Styling Trio Team! We are expanding our business and now we offer our makeup and hair services in The Riviera Nayarit! The Riviera Nayarit on the Pacific Mexico Coast runs nearly 200 miles from Puerto Vallarta in the South to San Blas in the North. The region has near perfect weather, expansive beaches and has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Mexico. You can find 5-star resorts accommodations or miles of empty beach for something more low key. There is something for everyone in this diverse coastal region and it is a wonderful place for a destination wedding! Here is a list of the most popular destinations there: Puerto Vallarta Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias & La Cruz Punta Mita & Litibu Sayulita Guyabitos & La Peñita Chacala Boca Chilla, Playa Tortugas, Costa Custodia Platanitos to San Blas We at Styling Trio are so happy to be able to expand to this area and to bring some of the best makeup artists and hair stylists from our group to this region. We hope to expand even more down the road, as we love to do what we do best --BEAUTIFY!-- and will travel to more places to make brides look amazing on their special day! If you or anyone you know are looking to have a wedding in the beautiful Riviera Nayarit and are interested in our hair and makeup services, feel free to contact us now as we are on-board and servicing the area. Styling Trio Riviera Nayarit ---Let's go beautify!
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Hi Ladies, I have been a member of this forum for a very long time and it has been essential in helping me to plan my wedding back in 2014. I feel like I have been not so great at giving back, so I'm coming back to share my personal experiences and help other brides to have an amazing wedding in Mexico Like I had:-) I feel like there is a lot of info regarding getting married at All-inclusives and other resorts, but not so much regarding a Beach Villa, which was our dream venue...and we finally have found one in Tulum: Hacienda Paraiso. here is my wedding video: https://vimeo.com/142955264 So this thread is dedicated to a Private Beach Villa non-cookie cutter wedding and what to expect. I hope I can help a few new brides and finally give back. so ask away...:-) -
When it comes to planning your Indian destination wedding, there are typically three important factors to consider when choosing your perfect destination location and venue. 1) Can the resort accommodate the size of my wedding and the different events we'll be hosting throughout my destination celebration? And if so, will my events be in an area that offers a sense of privacy? Destination weddings can typically be on the smaller side, but when it comes to Indian weddings these celebrations often include larger groups of 100 people or more. So when planning your wedding, couples must determine right away whether the resort/venue has the space to accommodate larger celebrations. Since Indian weddings usually also include events leading up to the wedding day, it's important to also find out if the resort has a variety of areas available to host the all the different ceremonies and celebrations. Once those two factors are considered, couples should ask whether these spaces will also give them a sense of privacy away from the hustle and bustle of other resort-goers and other activities happening on the resort grounds. The Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun-Riviera Maya is quite a favorite for Indian weddings because of the resort's expansive grounds, which gives couples a plethora of options for the different celebrations and ceremonies such as the Mayian ceremony, Mehndi and Sangeet ceremonies, Choora ceremony, Jugo ceremony and of course all the ceremonial aspects and traditions that occur during the Wedding day and reception. 2) Can my resort/venue provide an Indian food menu? Because Indian destination wedding celebrations typically occurring over the course of several days, food is a key detail couples must consider when planning their festivities. While many resorts do not prepare Indian food on site, and will instead offer cuisine from an off-site caterer, there are resorts such as Moon Palace that are equipped with chefs who are fully trained to prepare Indian food, including use of all the authentic spices and ingredients needed to provide a variety of dishes throughout all the wedding festivities. This may be a key perk for couples who want to ensure that all the food during their events are freshly prepared and readily available for their guests. 3) Are there vendors in the area that can provide the specific cultural services I need for my wedding celebration? While Indian destination weddings have increasingly become more common, there are destination locations that are more popular and accommodating than others in terms providing all the necessities for these types of cultural celebrations. The Cancun-Riviera Maya region is quite popular for Indian destination weddings because the area is blooming with a variety of top-notch vendors who specialize in Indian weddings. In this area couples can easily find officiants, mehndi artists, dhol drummers, caterers, wedding planners and decor stylists. With a series of events happening during an Indian wedding celebration, decor styling teams like LATIN ASIA -- widely considered experts in the Cancun area when it comes to Indian weddings -- are extremely helpful for couples who want to ensure their festivities are decorated with all the beautiful and cultural details needed throughout their wedding celebration. In Cancun-Riviera Maya, you can also find hair/makeup stylists who specialize in Indian weddings -- an important factor for many Indian brides. The Styling Trio, a Hair & Makeup agency representing talented artists in Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, is one of those companies in the area that have trained artists who specialize and cater to brides having an Indian wedding. When it comes to planning a destination wedding, it's always a good idea to reach out to an expert in the area you're looking at -- be it a wedding planner of a travel agent who knows the area well (like Wright Travel Agency which has a group of agents who specialize in destination wedding locations and venues throughout the world) -- because they can help you get started on the right foot as you plan the wedding of your dreams! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun is known for its wide variety of restaurants and eateries, but another excellent perk for guests is the resort's 24-hour room service and fully furnished in-room minibar and liquor dispenser. If you're like me -- not a morning person -- room service is the perfect perk when you want to sleep late, roll out of bed and enjoy breakfast or lunch in your pajamas. My husband also happens to be a late-night snacker, so the ability to order from Moon Palace's expansive 24-hour menu was so convenient during our stay (the grilled steak, shrimp cocktail and chicken lettuce wraps were his personal favorites!). Their 24-room service menu is simply a great option for those who want to drink and dine in the comforts of your own room. And because it's an all-inclusive resort, no fees or costs are involved to order room service. Best of all the service is quick, timely and your food is always served fresh! Another special touch that Moon Palace resort goers will enjoy is the in-room liquor dispenser and minibar. The liquor options include full-sized bottles of tequila, rum, whiskey and vodka. And inside the refrigerator, you'll also find a combination of juices, sodas and water -- so whatever your preference, there's an option for you. The dispensers and beverages are replenished daily, so you are always "fully-stocked!" Rest assure, when it comes to staying at Moon Palace, dining and drinks are readily available 24/7 and you don't even have to step out of your bedroom door to enjoy! For more information on Moon Palace resorts and its services, or to book your stay, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! -
Hi ladies, We're getting married in Cabo in April 2017. Has anyone been quoted on outdoor string lights rental/set-up? We're being quoted $120 per 45 foot string light, which seems absurd to me. I just want to make sure this is normal. If you have any other vendors, can you please share their information? Thank you, Perla
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Azul Beach Hotel in Puerto Morelos is not only know for their awesome beach beds located right on the shore, the resort also offers top notch spa services that can take your quest for relaxation to a whole new level. Azul Beach's Vassa Spa gives guests more than just your typical spa treatments, they provide a complete spa experience. Besides being able to lounge and unwind in one of the relaxing warm and cold plunge pools, spa goers can also opt for a Beachfront Sky Massage, or experience a couple’s treatment in one of the spa's double massage cabins. During my recent stay Azul Beach, my husband and I had the opportunity to indulge in an hour-long beachfront sky massage, which takes place under an open-air palapa hovering over the Caribbean Sea, so while you're getting the massage of your life, you can also relax to the soothing sounds of the ocean waves hitting the shore. The spa allows you to schedule appointments for treatments and I didn't have any trouble picking my preferred time slot -- they are quite flexible and accommodating. You can even schedule a moonlight massage if that's what you prefer! Prior to your massage, the spa staff will have you check in and fill out a form to find out what type of massage you prefer while also finding out whether you have any trouble spots or tight areas that need special attention. The experience is customized from beginning to end, with your relaxation and pleasure in mind throughout. I can't say enough about the kindness and professionalism of Vassa Spa's staff, they really go out of their way to ensure that when you walk through their door, you are well taken care of. Getting a massage from one of their trained massage therapists is truly a wonderful experience that one should indulge in during their stay. With hair and makeup options as well as their expansive menu of spa services, Vassa Spa is a great option for brides-to-be and their partners as well as wedding guests. But children can also indulge in different beautifying and calming rituals, such as the Princess for a Day experience. The pampering is open to everyone! Click here for more information about Vassa Spa's treatments, services and prices. And to book your stay at Azul Beach Hotel, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Hello fellow brides! I am hoping to book a nice excursion for all of our guests the night before the wedding. Kind of like a welcome/thank you for traveling so far. We were planning on doing a sunset cruise with hosted apps and drinks. Has anyone else looked into this? We are having more guests than I originally planned so I'm struggling to find a boat that can fit around 70 people! Or has anyone planned another type of excursion for their guests? I'm totally open to other ideas! But I'm straying away from a rehearsal dinner because we are hosting a farewell brunch on the last day. Thank you!
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Hello all you soon to be brides! This is my first Forum and I'm so happy that I found the BDW site! It's seriously the most helpful website that I've come across since I stared planning for my November 2017 wedding! I wanted to discuss one topic specifically and that would be Joyce from Dream Weddings. I have been researching for weeks for my dream venues and when I thought I came close to finding out details on the venues they would always fall through. I decided to ask an event coordinator and decided to go with Joyce. I noticed she is always giving such helpful tips/advice on so many other forums on this site. Joyce and I had a Skype call last week and discussed a lot of concerns I had. She was able to answer all of the questions I had! This literally gave me the biggest breath of relief. Before I spoke to Joyce I thought my dreams venues no longer excited, since no one would ever get back to me and since I can't afford a wedding planner I thought it was a lost cause. Since both of my dream venues (Villa Joya and Hacienda Esperanze) come with nothing except their gorgeous structure, Joyce prepared me for what I would need to know in order to live out my dream wedding. As well as tell me the perks of not going through a hotel, ex: buy your own booze, bring your own linens, and even make your own flowers, all to lower cost of the wedding. I asked what I should do in order to help my friends & family find good deals on hotels and flights and she gave me an answer that I didn't even consider (Travel Agent) and what the perks of having a travel agent are. I also freaked as to how I was going to visit these private properties w/out having a wedding planner. One of her services is to take you to go look at different venues, which made me happy. From what I can tell about Joyce, she has been doing this for years and knows all the right questions to ask to make sure you get what you want for your wedding. Not being able to afford a wedding planner, Joyce really has come to my rescue. Since we've talked last week, I've sent her a few emails and she is so quick to reply. She seems to take her job very seriously and I just got a very good sense of genuineness from her. In no way did she ever try and sell herself or any vendors that she works with. It was a nice relief for a change! Her main goal is to help guide brides in the right direction and I appreciate that tremendously! If your a bride that would like some guidance I would recommend Joyce!
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"Daddy...outside." As my 20 month old baby girl, Brooklyn, patted her eager little hand on our hotel room door, these are the words she excitedly uttered. Mommy had departed early for morning meetings and it was just my peanut companion and I, left to our own devices to explore and enjoy the Sunrise section of Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. My bubbly, curly haired partner and I put on our swimsuits and headed out into the warm Cancun sun. As we headed poolside, my miniature sidekick quickly let me know where she wanted to stop first. "I hungy, daddy", reassured me that making the Palapa Barracuda our first stop for lunch was not a mistake. After feasting on fresh melt in your mouth grilled fish, crispy chicken fingers, perfectly marinated arrachera and various other scrumptious fare, we decided to head to the Piscina de Ninos (the kid's pool), but not before we were distracted by the screams of excitement coming from boogie boarders and body surfers at the La Terraza Flowrider. The great thing about Moon Palace is that it keeps kids of all ages entertained. The Flowrider in particular is a fun wave pool that the older kids love because it's both challenging and fun. After finally making our way to the Kids Pool, lil Brooklyn approached the colorful crocodile and frog water slides with a look of wonder on her tiny face. Her saucer sized eyes scanned the pool from the castle complete with functioning water cannons to the water bucket suspended above a slide being filled with water and dumped every so often onto ecstatic children eagerly anticipating the shower below. She was anxious and apprehensive, but the energetic sounds of kids frolicking about in the knee high deep water was all she needed to make the courageous entrance into the kiddie pool. The fact that Moon Palace provides kids with their own pool section is great for parents who want to ensure their kids are in a safe environment when it comes to enjoying the water. Plus the kids pool is large and spacious enough to give the little ones enough room to play without feeling too far away from mom and dad. An hour later, Brooklyn was rotating between sipping her first ever virgin strawberry daiquiri, splashing the cool, crystal clear pool water over her head and venturing down the crocodile and frog water slides. My once timid little girl was in love with the kiddie pool and her frozen drink treat was just the icing on the cake. Brooklyn was equally impressed with the Playroom and children's fun zone which is designed for providing kids with the ultimate fun experience. From an incredible playground structure equipped with winding slides, tubes and the genuine look and feel of a real 4 story pirate ship to a massive indoor play area with video games, carousels, fashion room, beauty salon and dollhouse area. Getting Brooklyn to leave was almost like pulling teeth as her attention was completely taken by the laundry list of activities offered including Jenga and Xbox tournaments, balloon sculpting, cooking, pinata making and mask making classes. The plethora of exciting activities will surely keep any kid enthralled for hours on end. Luckily, my ace in the hole to lure my lil kiddo away from the endless fun was the poolside personal pizza oven and the mouth watering selection of ice cream delights at the 24 hour ice cream bar. It was the perfect way to end a fun filled day of activities, swimming, eating and drinking for my sidekick and I. The only thing left to do was to return to our spacious and AC chilled hotel room and rest our weary bodies with a nice afternoon nap. My tiny bambino gladly closed her eyes, with her tummy full of ice cream, and a wide smile on her face. "I love this place" is what I believe went through the mind of our 20-month-old when we walked the beautiful expansive grounds of the Moon Palace Resort. Spending the day with my little one on the Moon Palace grounds, while Mommy was busy with work, gave me the chance to make awesome memories with my daughter that I'll remember for a lifetime. Moon Palace is the perfect place for families looking for a relaxing getaway with top notch accommodations and amenities to keep both adults and children happy and busy. -
If you have bought your dress already then ensure that you show your bridal hairdresser a photo of it. So she/ he can use this as inspiration. Your point of view is really important as well. Here you got some ideas about how bride look from the classic, vintage, boho, modern etc ensure the dress and hairstyle complement each other.. http://www.adventureweddingsvallarta.com/
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Have you ever had a meal that was so good it literally made you want to cry tears of joy? Well that's pretty much how I felt while dining at Azul Beach Hotel's premier restaurant "Latino" this past April. Honestly, it was the first time I've heard my husband say, "I've never been this sad that my plate's empty" after he devoured his meal. And trust me, we have eaten plenty of delicious meals and we have the bellies to show for it Latino is one of five restaurants at the gourmet all-inclusive resort in Cancun-Riviera Maya, Mexico. And when I say they do everything well here, I seriously mean EVERYTHING. Nothing came out of that kitchen during the two times we dined there that I didn't absolutely love. The servers here will start you off with a deliciously fresh salad topped with mango dressing followed by a platter of "Latin Bites," which features a variety of appetizers made from different Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Valenzuela, Argentina and Mexico. Because Azul Beach is all-inclusive, we decided to splurge a bit and also try their tuna tartar and empanadas -- again, they did not disappoint because everything here is prepared to perfection. To satiate our thirst, our wonderful server suggested we try their special sangria lemonade and mango sangria. Let's just say, sangria has now become my new drink of choice The sangria here is absolutely exquisite. This portion of the meal alone will send your tastebuds into heaven, but it's just the precursor for the main course of your choosing. As big meat eaters, we opted for the highly-touted rib eye steak and tequila lime shrimp, both of which came with a side of grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. This is where my meal basically brought tears to my eyes. It's honestly the best steak I've ever had in my life, cooked exactly the way I like and full of flavor. The shrimp was fresh and side dishes were just as incredible -- it was the perfect compliment to the steak, which I later learned is imported from Canada. As an all-inclusive resort, Azul Beach is focused on providing top notch quality food and flavors to its diners. So how do you top off a fantastic meal? With extraordinary desserts of course! Although we came into Latino during the last 45 minutes of the restaurant's hours, our server encouraged us to complete our meal with one of their speciality desserts. So with bellies already quite satiated, we topped off our wonderful meal with tres leches cake, churros and hot chocolate. Let's just say, I wish I could have put a dozen of those churros in my pocket to take home with me. It was a divine way to end a meal that my family and I still talk about till this day. YES, our meal at Azul Beach Hotel's Latino was THAT GOOD. The servers here are friendly and personable and if you want a combination of two dishes (say, surf and turf?), just ask and they shall provide. When you come to this resort, the staff is here to please and they want nothing more than for you to walk away with a dining experience that you will fondly remember for years. Latino is a great dinner spot for large groups but if you want a quiet evening with just your sweetheart, it's ideal for that too. The ambience is chic and serene and the food is impeccable. Latino bistro is a vibrant celebration of food, energy and music, culinary preparations from the Southern tip of the Americas up to the Northern part of Mexico. Refreshing and unpretentious, Latino is the perfect place for family celebration with enticing meals including an impressive kids menu. The restaurant serves a la carte dinner services from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
How We Met While on a world-wind trip throughout Europe, my friend reached out to me saying that she had a great match for me when I got back to Ottawa. At the time I truly didn’t want anything to do with thinking about my time back home, or guys back home for that matter, so I shrugged it off……. Once I returned from Europe, the topic of having to meet Eric was brought up again by my friend, so I finally said “why not?”. Our friends ended up inviting Eric and myself for an afternoon of bowling. Eric was nothing like the guys that I had previously dated, so honestly wasn’t sure if he was truly my type. I thought to myself “my type hasn’t been working, so maybe I should pursue him!” My intuition was right. We ended up seeing each other every day for a week and a half straight. Shortly after we started officially dating! Our Travels Travel has always been a big part of my life. Throughout my childhood, I was lucky to experience many different destinations and trips with my family. Florida, California, Arizona, and even a cruise to the Caribbean. This must have planted the travel bug. I have always had a passion to explore, adventure, and see the world. Once I met Eric, I was surprised as to how little he had traveled. My goal was to change this, and explore the world together… Our first big trip was a 2 month trip, across Canada. We went all the way to the East coast of Canada, and then back through all of Canada to the West Coast, as far as Vancouver Island. On our way back, we drove through the top part of the United States, so that we could experience something a little bit different. This entire trip of 20,000km was done in our 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. We slept together in tents, at friends’ places, couchsurfing with strangers, and even in the trunk of the car with the backseat pulled down, in Walmart parking lots! Spending all of this time so close together truly was a relationship tester. We always joke that if we could get through those two months, we could get through anything! We have also traveled on a separate trip to Newfoundland with one of my Best Friends Ellyn, and her parents! That in itself was an adventure. This was Eric’s first time on a plane since he was a little kid. Thankfully Porter offers complimentary beer and wine, so his fear of flying was drowned with a few cans of Steamwhistle! We also started geocaching together on this trip. For those of you who don’t know, Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt, using a GPS application on your smartphone, to find hidden objects around the world! It’s a great way to discover a city that you’ve never explored, or to get to know hidden gems in a city. We have also gone on three separate trips down south to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Nothing better than a fun week filled with sun, sand, alcohol, and delicious eats! Our most recent trip was probably the most adventurous! We backpacked throughout the northern and central parts of Europe. We visited the Irish cliffs, saw Big Ben in London, said hello to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, watched the Mannekin Pis (and his sister Jeannekin Pis) in Brussels, ate tasty mussels in Brugges, went for a stroll in the countryside of Belgium in Kalken, experienced my birthday in the Red Light District of Amsterdam, went to a German Beerfest in Hannover, saw a Comedy Show at Tipi-Land in Berlin, went to a Swedish Hockey game in Malmo, visited the most amazing beach near Esbjerg (it’s 5km wide, and 16km long!), and cheered on the local ‘football’ team in Copenhagen. The most amazing part about this trip is it’s when we got engaged! Our Engagement While on our European Adventure in the fall of 2015, we decided to go geocaching in Berlin. We hunted for geocaches throughout this park in the middle of the city. We ended up in an area with ponds, and a lovely little stream, willow trees, and birds chirping. We ended up splitting ways, to find the geocache. Little did I know, Eric found the geocache first, while I was completely in the wrong area, taking pictures because it was so gorgeous! I followed the coordinates and wound up near this bridge, where Eric was hunting and told me he found it! He went under the bridge to retrieve the geocache, and passed it to me to open. I looked through, had him sign the log, and just as I was about to put it back, I noticed a white folded piece of paper. I opened it up to read it, and I honestly thought it was for someone else…. Until I saw my name at the bottom. With a small fence in between us (haha) there was Eric on one knee with a ring in hand. My initial reaction was that it was a joke, and it wasn’t real but reality eventually set in and I said yes! That evening, we ended up going to a lovely Thai restaurant for dinner, where we were the only ones in the restaurant! Following dinner we wound up at a local smoky bar, with a live jazz jam where people who had never even played together jammed the night away! Let’s just say it was a memorable day, and evening! The Wedding Planning Being an event planner myself, something I've strangely never wanted to plan was my own wedding. It's a job to me, and to be honest, I really didn't want to have to deal with all of the little details. My first little bit of wedding planning involved looking around the Ottawa area. I personally wanted a more outdoor venue, with a waterfront, as a beach wedding was always a dream, but my parents weren't too keen on a destination wedding at first. The other issue was looking for a venue that also had a hotel nearby, or on-site. This was quite tricky... We found one venue that worked, but the quote came back with a sky-rocketed price-tag. This lead me to start thinking about destination weddings again. The ease of being able to plan the wedding, with the guidance of a planner to take care of all the details for me, seemed quite attractive. I saw an ad for Luxe Destination Weddings, who proved to be quite helpful. I took a couple months of back and forth with the Travel Agent to figure out what resort would work best for us. We toyed with Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Jamaica, but since food was really important, we narrowed things down to Mexico, as they have the most refined food, since the USA is so close. The first quote that intrigued us was the Royalton Riviera Cancun, but the price was extremely high, so we wanted to see what other options were out there. Our second choice that seemed quite intriguing was the Grand Sunset Princess, but it just wasn't quite right.... We then saw the Azul Fives, which was gorgeous, but for the number of people we expect to attend, we couldn't use the Pier that was my dream wedding location. I reverted back to our travel agent and asked for a new quote for the Royalton Riviera, and the price had gone down significantly. We decided to book!!! From there, we decided on a departure date of May 6th, 2017 and a wedding date of May 9th, 2017. We will be getting married directly on the beach, followed by a dinner reception at the Nautica Beach Bar. We're expecting about 40 people, and are super excited. I had my first call with the destination Wedding Planner from Luxe Weddings, who started to go into the details of exactly what I want for the wedding. Wedding Colours Here's what I'm thinking for wedding colours. A midnight Charcoal Grey/Blue for the bridesmaids, with a deep coral and yellow/white accents, which will hopefully be incorporated into the bouquet too! I love starfish too, so hoping to incorporate those into the mix as well. That's basically where I'm at right now, but i'll definitely be updating as the date approaches! If you've had your wedding here, I'd be really excited to see some pictures for ideas. Especially the Nautica Beach bar, all done up. It's hard to find pictures!! -
Hello everyone I may be the only groom on this site - I am away at sea with the Canadian Navy and my wife-to-be is busy with our son so I thought I'd do a little research. We live in Halifax, but have guests coming from Toronto, Ottawa, Winnepeg and of course Halifax. We have a 2 year old son (3 at the time of travel) and may of our guests have chlildren ages 2-10 so we would like something fun for them. We want our wedding to be something our son thinks of (at least for a while since he will be 3) and remembers as a really fun experience. We have decided a little kids water park is a must. Our options so far: Grand Bahia Principe Coba/Tulum Grand Bahia Principe Torquesa Memories Splash Punta Cana Barcelo Maya Colonial *Moon Palace and Iberostar Cancun* I star the last two off because although we adore them they are much outside our guests price range - if we go to expensive our son will be the only kid their and then it isnt really worth it to be so extravagent for kids. We have been working with a TA for 2 months now and things have started to go smoother but she is on a trip to the Rockies and then RIviera Maya (not any resorts we want though) and hasnt been responding - she did say that would happen though. Our budget for guests was approx 1600 and although some already fit that bill - we are still having trouble deciding (the more expensive ones always seem nicer) We want to book Barcelo but it is 1800 and our hoping our one time price adjustment plus the free adults( every 8th form our TA) can bring the price down but we dont want to rely on the price adjustment - i know we are going in the high season but from Halifax there isnt much other options and it is the day we started dating so we wanted to keep it an ongoing anniversary. Any help please.... Groom in need here... -
When in Mexico, it's natural to have high expectations for Mexican food and drinks, and Los Caporales restaurant at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun does not disappoint. As one of the many eateries on the all-inclusive resort's grounds, diners at Los Caporales can indulge in delicious fajitas and tacos as well as several other well-known Mexican specialties off their a la carte menu. But perhaps one of the most popular items on the menu is their special Mayan coffee -- the perfect after-meal treat for your body and an incredible presentation for your senses. This speciality coffee is prepared with tequila, coffee, sugar, orange and topped with whipped cream. But before you indulge in its rich flavors, you'll be mesmerized by the preparation and presentation of this delightful post-dinner treat. It's definitely worth a try if you plan to stay at Moon Palace and a quite a bonus at the end of a great meal! Los Caporales is located in the Central lobby of the Nizuc region of the resort. The restaurant is open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner daily. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
We just posted a new post of our wedding at Sun Palace last July. Feel free to drop us any questions! https://bestdealscaribbean.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/sunpalacewedding/ -
10 Reasons Why You Should Stay at an All-Inclusive Resort
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
I am spoiled for life. Why? Because I just spent eight blissful days at a beautiful boutique-style all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and frankly, I don't think I'll ever be the same again. The minute I left Azul Beach Hotel, I was already thinking about planning a trip back with the rest of my family. First you must know that as a lifelong traveler, I am not accustomed to the all-inclusive way. Having only been to two all-inclusive resorts in the past, most of my travels comprised being "more adventurous" and thrifty -- that is, find a nice affordable resort and then trying a plethora of different restaurants throughout my stay. This is how my parents vacationed with us as kids and as I grew old enough to travel on my own, it's eventually how I vacationed with my husband and my kids too. But now, I'm 39 and I'm here to say -- my weeklong stay at this all-inclusive resort spoiled me rotten and I'm thoroughly convinced this is the way everyone should vacation and here's why: The steady stream of food and drinks. Let's face it, part of the lure of going on vacation is eating and dining on delicious food as you please. Well being at an all-inclusive resort, you have the ability to eat and drink till your heart's content. Want to sip on a cocktail or two after dinner? Or perhaps an early morning coffee or smoothie is what you crave. Food and drinks are readily available 24/7 and at an all-inclusive you simply walk into a restaurant or dining area and place your order without having to look at prices -- because you can have anything on the menu without worrying about the costs. All-inclusive menus also encourage you to try new dishes because everything on the menu is included. Have you ever wanted to try something new at a restaurant but feared that you wouldn't like it then suffer diner's remorse, then wishing you had ordered a usual staple? When it comes to an all-inclusive you have the freedom to be more adventurous when it comes to your dining experience and that can be pretty exciting, especially when you're on vacation! If you've got kids, knowing that they can order anything they want on the menu can also be a relief -- especially if you've got picky eaters. You don't have to worry about carrying money around the resort (with exception of money for tips). I have this habit of carrying my purse everywhere "just in case" I need money. When you're at an all-inclusive there is really no need to carry around cash except for tips. So you have peace of mind when heading out to the pool for the day that you need not carry a wallet full of your debit/credit cards with you. Being able to vacation without making sure you've got enough money on you is truly relaxing. It's easy to dine separately or coordinate meals together, especially if you have a larger group. If you've traveled with a large group before, you know how difficult it can be to coordinate meals while also making sure to pick a restaurant that can satisfy everyone's tastes and budget. At an all-inclusive, eating alone or planning meals together is a much easier process. Everyone in the group can eat/snack whenever they please, but if you opt to eat together, it's so much easier to choose when you know costs aren't involved. You'll love the flexibility and convenience of room service. My family and I are extreme night owls, so we're usually asleep while others are enjoying breakfast and just waking up as breakfast is about to end. But when you're at an all-inclusive you often have the option of 24-hour room service and that's like gold when you want to eat breakfast but you're not much of a morning person. It also comes in handy if you're a late night snacker -- like my husband. When you're at a regular resort, room service normally comes with higher prices. But an all-inclusive, price doesn't even come into play. You can snack as you please. Spending your day in the ocean or lounging by the pool can often leave you craving a delicious drink or snack and beach/poolside service is pretty much a given at most all-inclusive resorts. So rest assure, if you're sitting poolside reading a book all afternoon, you won't need to get up anytime soon, because soon enough a server will come by asking if you want a drink or snack. Lots of all-inclusive resorts will also have snack bars, bakeries or dessert bars on site to help curb your appetite in between meals. Now how perfect is that? The service is second to none. I can't say enough about the level of service I have received at the all-inclusive resorts I've stayed at. Your resort fees not only go toward lodging and dining, but you're also paying for top level customer service in every aspect of your resort stay. The staff is there to please you completely from the moment you check into the resort till the time you leave. During our stay at Azul Beach Hotel, we were blown away by the engaging nature and kindness of all the resort workers -- especially during our meals. The servers were funny and engaging and always went out of their way to make sure we were happy with our meal from beginning to end. The top-notch service alone makes the all-inclusive experience stand on its own. You have access to free entertainment. All-inclusive resorts are usually packed full of entertainment options for guests. Whether it be nightclubs, bars or lounges or shows for both children and adults -- you'll have a wide variety of entertainment and activities to choose from. These resorts are focused on keeping you happy and entertained while on the property so you don't feel the need to leave for anything. If you're the type that always needs to be connected, free wifi is usually also included during your all-inclusive stay. You have access to non-motorized water sports. Many all-inclusive resorts give their guests full usage of sports and water equipment like snorkels, kayaks, and paddleboards. Family friendly resorts will also give children access to beach and pool toys, which helps a lot when you're trying to limit how much to pack in your suitcase. While there may additional charges for certain sport/water activities, you usually get considerable access to a variety of tools/equipment with your already paid-for resort fees. It can help you save on your Wedding Day. Several all-inclusive resorts will throw in bonuses when couples choose to have their wedding on-site -- especially if you have a large group. These perks can help you save a ton when it comes to planning your celebration. So make sure to ask the resort what their wedding packages or options include. Often times, all-inclusive resorts will work with preferred travel agencies who can also offer additional perks if their entire wedding party/guests book through that particular agency. (Wright Travel Agency -- the official agency of bestdestinationwedding.com, is a preferred agency with several of the destination wedding resorts throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica as well as other prime destination locations. To contact the Wright Travel, click here.) You don't worry about staying on a budget. There's something completely liberating about going on vacation and not having to worry about how much you've spent and how much cash you have left in your wallet. When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, the money for your lodging and food/drink has been paid upfront and your time there can be spent in total relaxation mode. If you haven't tried an all-inclusive resort, you should try it at least a couple times. Even if you're one of those travelers like me who's grown accustomed to always being on the go -- the all-inclusive experience is worth trying at least once. You just may find yourself spoiled by it like me and waking up post-vacation, wondering why no one is there bringing you a cocktail or ready with your morning omelette To find out more information about booking an all-inclusive vacation for your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
In Adventure weddings "Las Caletas" we know how important details are!! So here you got some special, beatiful, handmade, original and personalized ideas for your big day! Our brides always have amazing ideas! they use the welcome table, a guest gift, an unexpected factor!!! we just love to be part in such an unforgettable experience for them. http://bit.ly/PlanYourWedding
